Looks at the importance of good dental hygiene. Suggests basic practices for when and how to brush and floss. Provides interactive test of knowledge about dental hygiene.

Dental Care: Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth

Introduction

Your teeth can last a lifetime if you
practice basic dental care, which involves brushing and flossing regularly,
eating a mouth-healthy diet, and visiting your dentist and/or
dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings.
Developing good dental health habits is the best way to prevent
tooth decay and
gum disease.

Good brushing
and flossing are important parts of your dental care. To do these actions well,
make them part of your daily routine and:

Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning
and at night. When you brush, use a
fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental
Association. Some fluoride toothpastes also offer tartar control, which may
help slow the formation of hard mineral buildup (tartar) on the teeth.

Floss at least once a day.

Use disclosing
tablets periodically to see whether any
plaque is left on the teeth. Disclosing tablets are
chewable and will color any plaque left on the teeth after you brush. You can
buy them at most drugstores.

Test Your Knowledge

Brushing and flossing do help prevent tooth
decay, cavities, and gum disease. And they also make your trip to the dentist
more pleasant, save you money, prevent bad breath, and keep your teeth whiter.
If you brush and floss, your teeth can last a lifetime.

Brushing and flossing do help prevent tooth
decay, cavities, and gum disease. And they also make your trip to the dentist
more pleasant, save you money, prevent bad breath, and keep your teeth whiter.
If you brush and floss, your teeth can last a lifetime.

Use a toothbrush with soft, rounded-end bristles and
a head that is small enough to reach all parts of your teeth and mouth. Replace
your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.

You may also use an electric toothbrush that has the American
Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Studies show that powered
toothbrushes with a rotating and oscillating (back-and-forth) action are more
effective than other toothbrushes, including other powered
toothbrushes.1

Place the brush at a
45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums. Press firmly, and gently rock the
brush back and forth using small circular movements. Do not scrub. Vigorous
brushing can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth
enamel.

Brush all surfaces of the teeth, tongue-side and
cheek-side. Pay special attention to the front teeth and all surfaces of the
back teeth.

Brush chewing surfaces vigorously with short
back-and-forth strokes.

Brush your tongue from back to front.
Some people put some toothpaste or mouthwash on their toothbrush when they do
this. Brushing your tongue helps remove plaque, which can cause bad breath and
help bacteria grow. Some toothbrushes now have a specific brush to use for your
tongue.

Floss at least once a day. The type of floss you use is not
important. Choose the type and flavor you like best. When you floss your teeth,
use any of the following methods:

The
finger-wrap method: Cut off a piece of floss
18 in. (45 cm) to
20 in. (50 cm) long. Wrap one
end around your left middle finger and the other end around your right middle
finger, until your hands are about
2 in. (5 cm) to
3 in. (8 cm)
apart.

The
circle method: Use a piece of floss about
12 in. (30 cm) long. Tie the
ends together, forming a loop. If the loop is too large, wrap the floss around
your fingers to make it smaller.

Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums.
Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape and gently slide it under the gum
line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the
plaque. Popping the floss in and out between the teeth
without scraping will not remove much plaque and can hurt your gums.

A plastic flossing tool makes flossing easier. Child-size
flossing tools are available for parents to use to floss their children's teeth.
They are available at most drugstores.

If your gums bleed when you
floss, the bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier and tighter next
to your teeth.

Test Your Knowledge

It is better to brush my teeth with gentle, circular
motions than to scrub vigorously.

If you have just started flossing your teeth
and your gums bleed when you floss, it probably means that your gums are not
used to cleaning. The bleeding after flossing should stop as your gums become
healthier and tighter next to your teeth. Talk to your dentist if the bleeding
after flossing does not stop after a few days of regular flossing.

If you have just started flossing your teeth
and your gums bleed when you floss, it probably means that your gums are not
used to cleaning. The bleeding after flossing should stop as your gums become
healthier and tighter next to your teeth. Talk to your dentist if the bleeding
after flossing does not stop after a few days of regular flossing.

To learn more about brushing, flossing, and the care of your teeth, talk to
your dentist and dental hygienist.

If you would like to learn more about oral health care and
prevention of oral disease, the following organization can provide information:

Organization

American Dental Association

211 East Chicago Avenue

Chicago, IL 60611-2678

Phone:

(312) 440-2500

Web Address:

www.ada.org

The American Dental Association (ADA), the professional
membership organization of practicing dentists, provides information about oral
health care for children and adults. The ADA can also help you find a dentist
in your area.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.